Minimum Wage

Why Obama, McCain and You Should Care that Middle-Class Americans have no Idea what Congress is up to

Andrea Batista Schlesinger | Posted 08.19.2008 | Politics

Read More: Minimum Wage, Congress, Progressive Politics, 2008 Election, Media Coverage of 2008 Election, Election, Middle Class, Politics News

The middle class can't exercise their political power if we allow Congress to function in a vacuum.

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America's Middle Class Needs Right to Bargain, Secure Contracts -- Like CEOs Have

Leo W. Gerard | Posted 08.11.2008 | Business

Read More: Collective Bargaining, Smithfield Foods, United Food and Commercial Workers, Wal-Mart, Employee Freedom Action Committee, Economy, Human Rights Watch, Employee Free Choice Act, Rick Berman, Middle Class, Free Trade, Usw, Medicaid, United Steelworkers, Walton Family, National Labor Relations Board, Global Corporations, Wall Street Journal, U.S. Supreme Court, Tobacco Lobbyist, Agriprocessors Inc. Immigration, Kosher, Minimum Wage, Union Busters, Lance Compa, Health Insurance, Meatpacking, Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, Union, Undocumented, Business News

When uninsured Wal-Mart workers get sick, American taxpayers foot the bill. They pay for coverage through Medicaid, the health insurance plan for the poor. That's what the Walton family, which owns Wal-Mart, banks on.

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China Trade Promises All Snake Oil -- Fair Trade Crucial

Leo W. Gerard | Posted 08.04.2008 | Business

Read More: Fair Trade, Economy, Labor Law, Free Trade, China, Economic Policy Institute, Kai Da Toy Factory, U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, Minimum Wage, World Trade Organization, Susan C. Schwab, Olympic Games, United Steelworkers, India, Aqua Dots, Heparin, National Labor Committee, Sesame Street’s Kid K’Nex Ernie, Business News

We need fair trade. And so do Chinese workers and families, who are being abused by this so-called free trade system that benefits only CEOs and major shareholders of global corporations.

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The Terminator

Amy Ephron | Posted 08.01.2008 | Politics

Read More: Governor Schwarzenegger, Tax Credits for Movie Business, California Budget Stalemate, California Budget Crisis, Minimum Wage, Politics News

Without a qualm, Governor Schwarzenegger signed an order yesterday to reduce government employees salaries to the minimum wage of $6.55 an hour because of the budget stalemate.

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Who Is Obama Speaking To About the Economy?

Jeff Madrick | Posted 07.28.2008 | Politics

Read More: Regulating Wall Street, Minimum Wage, Eric Schmidt, Obama Economic Policies, Paul Volcker, Barack Obama, Bob Rubin, Lawrence Summers, Warren Buffet, Politics News

Obama may hear something fresh on energy and infrastructure, including broadband, from Rubin and Summers. But Obama should be asking these men some serious question about how we got here.

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Friday Talking Points [40] -- Obama Shines, McCain Whines

Chris Weigant | Posted 07.25.2008 | Politics

Read More: New Orleans, Gaffe, Gop, Bill of Rights, First Amendment, Speech, Giants, Atlas, Pakistan, Berlin, Czechoslovakia, Free Speech, Whine, Canada, Democratic, Iraq, Campaign, National Convention, Minimum Wage, Redskins, Oil Spill, 2008, Midotw, Victory Column, Most Disappointing Democrat of the Week, 2008 Campaign, Most Impressive Democrat of the Week, Democratic National Convention, Mississippi, Risk, Dncc, Tiergarten, John McCain, Germany, Football, Whiny, Oil Rig, Democrat, 2008 Elections, Democratic National Convention Committee, 08, Photo-Op, Nfl, Democrats, 2008 Election, Barack Obama, Election, 08 Election, Senior Moment, Presidential, Elections, Desperation, Free Speech Zones, 08 Campaign, Mddotw, Talking Heads, Convention, 2008 Presidential Race, Afghanistan, Burning Down the House, Mississippi River, Democrat-Lite, Politics News

Be careful what you wish for, John. That seems to be the message of the week for Senator John McCain. He took some campaign consultant's idea a few w...

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The Meaning of Increasing the Minimum Wage

Bruce Raynor | Posted 07.24.2008 | Politics

Read More: Minimum Wage, Labor, Employee Free Choice Act, Work, Economy, Wages, Econonomic, Jobs, Organized Labor, Labor Unions, Recession, Politics News

The bubbles have burst. Our economy is sinking. Americans are looking for a new approach. The increase in the minimum wage points the way forward.

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Minimum Wage Increases Today, Helping Millions of America's Lowest-Paid Workers

Rep. George Miller | Posted 07.24.2008 | Politics

Read More: Congress, Minimum Wage, George Miller, Economy, Minimum Wage Increase, Politics News

Unlike tax breaks for the wealthy, the minimum wage increase for American workers will be spent locally, which is good for local businesses, large and small, and good for a struggling economy.

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The Minimum Wage: A Disgrace and a Scandal

Jonathan Tasini | Posted 07.24.2008 | Politics

Read More: John Edwards, Taxes, Minimum Wage, Class Warfare, Poverty, U.S. Economy, Economy, Politics News

Now totaling the grand sum of $6.55 an hour, the minimum wage is a disgrace and a sad commentary about the state of our social safety net, the economy and our political system.

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Minimum Wage Rises Today To $6.55 Per Hour

AP | CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER | Posted 07.24.2008 | Business

Read More: Minimum Wage, Wage Hike, Minimum Wage Increase, $6.55, Labor Department, Business News

WASHINGTON — About 2 million Americans get a raise Thursday as the federal minimum wage rises 70 cents. The bad news: Higher gas and food prices...

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Schwarzenegger's Reform Means Minimum Wage

Paul Peete | Posted 07.23.2008 | Home

Read More: Minimum Wage, Sacramento Bee, Budget, Sacramento, Arnold, Economy, Schwarzeneggar, November Elections, Republicans, Democrats, Gov. Schwarzenegger, Home News

Will the same pay rates apply to the Governor and members of the California State Legislature? Their monthly postage allowance is more than federal minimum wage earners make.

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Wal-Mart's Wages Increase in China, Rollback in US

David Nassar | Posted 07.16.2008 | Business

Read More: Walmart, Walton, Wages, Economy, Schip, Medicaid, China, Wal-Mart, Labor, Minimum Wage, Walmart Equality, Etic, Business News

Instead of perpetuating a cycle of poverty among its workers, it's time Wal-Mart consider a meaningful wage increase for its U.S. employees who are struggling to make ends.

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States Still Leading Feds on Minimum Wage

Joel Barkin | Posted 07.10.2008 | Politics

Read More: Minimum Wage, Obama, States, Economy, Politics News

Later this month, the federal minimum wage will increase to $6.65 -- hardly anywhere close to what it should be, but an improvement from where we are now.

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Democrats Plus Unions Equals Better Wages

Robyn Blumner | Posted 06.19.2008 | Politics

Read More: Labor Unions, Democrats, U.S. Economy, Minimum Wage, Labor, Wages, Economy, Middle Class, HIllary Clinton Concession Speech, Democratic Party, Politics News

Our nation is increasingly becoming one of haves and have-nots, mired in income inequality more severe than at any time since the days of robber barons.

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Corporate Wisdom: Superiors and Subordinates

Prioleau Alexander | Posted 04.01.2008 | Business

Read More: Jobs, Minimum Wage, Work, Corporations, Business News

During my year in the minimum-wage world, I managed to achieve two primary things: I wrote a book about the experience, and I developed a corporate success plan for when I clawed my way back.

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Workers Strike at Nike Contract Factory

AP | VU TIEN HONG | Posted 04.01.2008 | Business

Read More: Work Meals, Minimum Wage, Ching Luh Plant, Vietnam Strike, Inflation, Nike Workers, Nike, Nike Factories, Long an Province, Taiwan Strike, Work Lunches, Strike, Nike Strike, Business News

HANOI, Vietnam — More than 20,000 Vietnamese workers have walked off the job at a Taiwanese-owned plant that makes shoes for Nike Inc., demandin...

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Friday Talking Points [20] -- Populism 101

Chris Weigant | Posted 02.22.2008 | Politics

Read More: Social Security, Charity, Democratic, Campaign, Income, Cap, Television, Minimum Wage, Cable, 2008, A La Carte, 2008 Campaign, Capital Gains, Populism, John McCain, Tuition, Minimum Wage COLA, Neo-Populism, Democrat, 2008 Elections, 08, Satellite, 2008 Election, Democrats, Scandal, Barack Obama, Election, 08 Election, Income Tax, Elections, 08 Campaign, Credit Card Interest Rates, College, Tv, 2008 Presidential Race, Earnings Cap, Warren Buffett, New York Times, Hillary Clinton, Populist, Tax Deductible, Politics News

No awards this week A few quick thoughts this week before we get to the talking points. First, I will not be awarding the Most Impressive Democrat Of...

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Winning the Edwards Vote

Ron Blackwell and Tom Palley | Posted 02.12.2008 | Politics

Read More: Afl-Cio, John Edwards, Minimum Wage, Labor, John Edwards Drops Out, 2008 Election, Middle Class, Politics News

The central plank of the Edwards' campaign was restoring the middle class. This must be the economic policy goal of any candidate wanting the Edwards vote.

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Wal-Mart Exploits Teen Labor in Mexico

David Nassar | Posted 01.31.2008 | Politics

Read More: Labor, Minimum Wage, Wal-Mart Mexico, Exploitation, Newsweek Teens at Work, Child Exploitation, Mexico, Wal-Mart, Sweatshops, Wal-Mart Teenaged Laborers, Politics News

This video portrays just one, egregious example of Wal-Mart's willingness to twist the truth and take advantage of its workers.

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Indian State Serves as Development Model

Craig Kielburger and Marc Kielburger | Posted 01.18.2008 | Politics

Read More: Third World Countries, Minimum Wage, India Environment, Developing Countries, Kerala India, Eco-Friendly, Eco-Friendly Countries, Economic Growth for Developing Countries, Politics News

Kerala isn't perfect. But this small Indian state does serve as a development model for emerging countries, while also redefining what it means for a region to be developed.

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The Eight Buck Per Hour Double Per Buck Cheeseburger

David Goldstein | Posted 01.03.2008 | Politics

Read More: Progressivism, Conservatism, Minimum Wage, Economics, Health Care, Politics News

Driving home from a New Years Eve party I noticed it was business as usual at one local McDonald's, where no matter what hour of the day or night the ...

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Hillary Announces New Bill One Day After Edwards Challenge

CNN | Posted 12.21.2007 | Politics

Read More: Edwards Iowa, Democratic Primary, Minimum Wage, John Edwards vs Hillary, John Edwards, Iowa Caucuses, Hillary Clinton, Health Care, Politics News

Just one day after a challenge from presidential rival John Edwards to commit to raising the minimum wage to $9.50 an hour, New York Sen. Hillary Clin...

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A $10 Minimum Wage At Wal-Mart? Better Wish For Two Front Teeth

Al Norman | Posted 12.07.2007 | Business

Read More: Retail Wage Bill, Wal-Mart Earnings, Minimum Wage, Wal-Mart, Wal-Mart Wages, Business News

One of the best things Wal-Mart as a corporation could do to help low income families would be to provide its own "associates" with a decent wage hike.

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Willful Ignorance, Callous Indifference, or Both?

Richard Belzer | Posted 11.13.2007 | Politics

The overpaid, smug opinionated keepers of Wall Street's gates are, in their view, the only class of people who can explain the confusing riddle of the American economy.

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We Can Do Better Than This

Sen. Bernie Sanders | Posted 10.16.2007 | Politics

Read More: Collective Bargaining, Energy Efficiency, Minimum Wage, Poverty, US Poverty, Middle Class, Tax Cuts, Free Trade, Defense Spending, Health Care, Labor Unions, Global Warming, Fair Trade, Bush Tax Cuts, Politics News

The decline of the middle class combined with growing income inequality is a national scandal -- which Congress must address.

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